Flexor Tendon Case Conundrums Philly Meeting 2018 Rowena McBeath, MD, PhD Jeffrey A. Greenberg, MD Nancy M. Cannon, OTR, CHT Faculty Rowena McBeath, MD, PhD Yale molecular biochemistry & biophysics John Hopkins medical degree & PhD Washington University orthopedic residency Philadelphia Hand Center hand fellowship & practice Passion for research, family Accomplished violinist Faculty Jeffrey A. Greenberg, MD George Washington University MD State University of New York Syracuse orthopedic residency Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center hand fellowship & partner ASSH practice division director AFSH board of trustees AAHS former board member Lectures extensively; mission work Loves golf, woodworking, family Every Day Breaking News Every Month... Something New Flexor Tendons Conundrum A problem or puzzle which is difficult or impossible to solve. Mystery Enigma Head-Scratcher Dilemma Conundrum Webster Dictionary An intricate or difficult problem Oxford Dictionary A confusing and difficult problem or question
Flexor Tendons Conundrum! Anatomy Surgery Therapy Outcomes Not straight-forward No simple or direct path No easy answers Not predictable No guarantees Problem-solving, decision-making critical Cannot let your guard down favorable outcome Topics Conundrums! Zones I & II FTRs Anatomical & Surgical Challenges within each Zone Preferred Surgical Approach & Rationale [case examples] Therapy Case Examples - Conundrums Problem-solving & decision-making Questions & Answers Q&A End of all Presentations How frequently do you see a new start FTR? 1/wk 1mo. 1every 3-4 mos What type of repair? 2 4 6 8 strand What type of therapy program? passive only, combined passive & active, short arc partial flexion actively, place and hold Pleased with outcomes? Zone I Flexor Tendon Repairs Zone I Subzones Tendon excursion Repair options Therapy Case Examples Conundrums Button Partial FDP repair Bone anchors Outcomes Zone I Moiemen & Elliott (JHS Br. 2000) 1A Very Distal FDP Tendon ( 1cm) 1B Zone 1A to Distal Margin of the A4 Pulley 1C FDP within A4 pulley Digital Level Anatomy Tendon Excursion Active Excursion FDP in Zone I Maximum of.7 1mm per 10 motion ± 5 6mm Passive FDP Excursion in Zone I.3mm per 10 motion 1 2.5mm
Lacerations Ruptures Types of Injury Zone I Avulsions Leddy & Packer Types I, II, III + Type IV & V End to End Repair Button Anchor Repair Options Core Sutures 2 4 6 Strand Repairs Repair Options Button Repair Options Anchors Micro Mini Repair Strengths - Estimates Core Sutures 2 Strand Core Sutures 4 Strand Core Sutures 6 Strand + Peripheral Running Suture 20N 40N 60N 7N 3-0 vs. 4-0 Suture + 10-15N Button 45N Anchor Micro 70N Anchor Mini 45N Program Choices - Passive Early Passive Motion Program Modified Duran 2-strand repairs Stronger repairs concerned for quality of repair Persisent edema, limited passive flexion unable to add early active motion
Program Choices Active Key Points Establish therapy program Early Active Motion 4 strand repairs Button Anchor Place & Hold Synergistic wrist motion Short Arc Active AROM Place & Hold Detailed Understanding Surgery Type of repair know repair strength Quality of the repair Other repaired structures Venting of pulleys A4, A5 Patient Current Medical History Impact delay healing Baseline Initial Therapy Evaluation Edema joint stiffness pt. impression Zone I Flexor Tendon Repairs Challenges Therapy Limited tendon gliding DIP joint level Risk of DIP joint flexion contracture Conundrums Case Examples Zone I FTR Zone I Repair Button Zone I Repair - Anchors Zone I Partial Laceration & Repair Case Example Button 21 y/o Female Student Lacerated FDP DIPJ Level (volar plate) Left index Less than 5mm Stump of the FDP Profundus Repair Button UDN Repair Zone I FDP Repair Button Points of Interest Surgery Button 45N strength Postop nail bed infection (required antibiotics) Points of Interest Course of Therapy Persistent & notable erythema Persistent edema Limited passive flexion Slow gains with active flexion
Zone I FDP Repair - Button Therapy 3 Days Postop Zone I FDP Repair - Button Modified Duran Passive Program Zone I FDP Repair Button Passive Intrinsic Stretch Therapy Only Zone I FDP Repair - Button 3 Weeks Postop Left on passive program! Orthosis wrist 30 extension Place & hold exercise Coban No Coban? JHS (Am) July, 2012 Zone I FDP Repair - Button 3 ½ Weeks Postop AROM within orthosis Coban - WOF Preference: leave Coban in place Clinical experience edema resolves more quickly, difficult for patient to apply Risk patient straightening finger or applying Coban too tight, too loose
Zone I FDP Repair Button Thermal Ultrasound AROM Immediately following US Ultrasound Cited Benefits Decrease inflammation Promote, accelerate tendon healing Prevent adhesions Increase motion Non-thermal benefits May be of greater value in adhesion prevention Definitive Evidence Lacking in detail Zone I FDP Repair - Button 4 Weeks Postop Place & hold exercise out of orthosis Zone I FDP Repair - Button 5 Weeks Postop Hook fist exercise Passive & active Zone I FDP Repair - Button 5 Weeks Postop IPJ elastic straps for passive flexion Zone I FDP Repair - Button 6 Weeks Postop Discontinue dorsal blocking orthosis Buddy tapes
Zone I FDP Repair - Button 6 Weeks Postop Blocking exercises Passive extension PIPJ only not DIPJ Zone I FDP Repair - Button Blocking Orthosis - Daytime Patient Education - Precaution Buddy Tapes Reminds the patient to be cautious Avoid Pinching Note: FDP force quickly 20N - 120N, well beyond current strength of a repair Zone I FDP Repair - Button 8 Weeks Postop Hand exerciser & putty Goal increase tendon excursion Zone I FDP Repair - Button ROM 12 Weeks Postop MP 0/85 PIP 0/105 DIP 5/40 Note: blocked motion 45-50 Case Example 14 y/o Boy Lacerated Right Ring Finger FDP, UDN Cut Hand on Ceiling Tile 60% Repair Profundus & UDN
FDP Repair (+60%) Zone I Points of Interest Injury & Surgery Laceration through DIPJ (volar plate/ucl) 4 strand repair 4-0 supramid 6-0 prolene epitendinous suture UDN repair Points of Interest - Therapy Early AROM Exercise orthosis hand based DIPJ flexion contracture PIPJ hyperextension Partial Tendon Lacerations Literature 50% Typically, surgery not necessary May trim the tendon 50% Surgery recommended Stronger tendon Decrease risk of triggering Increases tendon gliding Therapy-Partial Tendon Repairs Early AROM Tenodesis & Synergistic Movement Favorable gliding excursion Less severe adhesions Improved tendon strength No Orthosis or Hand-Based Orthosis with Exercises Forearm Based Dorsal Blocking Orthosis between ex sessions/night 3 Days Postop Bulky dressing removed Light dressing Custom-Fabricated DBO Modified Duran Passive ROM Exercises Early Active ROM Exercises Dorsal blocking orthosis hand based Tenodesis motion, place & hold exercises Forearm Based DBO between ex/night
10 Days Postop Suture removal Scar massage lotion [3 days later] 10 Days Postop PROM intrinsic stretch Light active muscle contraction while maintaining full passive flexion Therapist in clinic Continued Tenodesis Synergistic Exercises 3 ½ Weeks Postop Intrinsic stretch passively, passively with active flexion & place & hold slowly removing the hand 4 Weeks Postop No orthosis active place & hold 4 Weeks Postop AROM wrist & digits (gentle digital extension) Gently mobilize adhesions distally
4 Weeks Postop AROM - Hook-fist exercise 6 Weeks Postop Slight PIPJ hyperextension Oval 8 ring block hyperextension with exercise 7 Weeks Postop Discontinued forearm based dorsal blocking orthosis (young/active/+rom) Buddy tapes 7 Weeks Postop Extension orthosis 3 times a day DIPJ 30 (30 ) 7 Weeks Postop Passive extension DIPJ MP & PIP flexed 8 Weeks Postop PIP joint only flexed 8 Weeks Postop LMB dynamic extension DIPJ DIPJ 30 (25 ) 7 Weeks 8 Weeks
ROM 10 Weeks Postop Right Ring Finger MP 0/90 PIP +5/110 DIP 7(0)/80 Case Example [J.S.] 22 y/o Male Accidental Knife Laceration at Work Right Middle Finger FDP Zone I & RDN Surgery [4 days post injury] FDP advancement micro anchors [±70N] RDN repair Points of Interest Surgery Slow wound closure [three months] Therapy Slow recovery of motion PIP joint flexion contracture Micro Anchors Zone I FDP 6 Days Postop Indiana passive motion program Micro Anchors Zone I FDP 9 Days Postop Indiana active motion program Micro Anchors Zone I FDP Initial Challenge Wound closure persistent drainage
Micro Anchors Zone I FDP 6 Weeks Postop limited active flexion MP joint blocking orthosis all day for over a month Micro Anchors Zone I FDP 7 Weeks Postop limited active flexion Thermal ultrasound Micro Anchors Zone I FDP 8 Weeks Postop PIPJ flexion contracture Safety pin splint MP: 0/95 PIP: 5(0)/110 DIP: 10(5)/60 Outcome 3 Months Outcomes - FDP End to End Repair Zone I Flexor Digitorum Profundus Two Strand Repair 41 digits 28 digits end to end repairs PIPJ 91 DIPJ 47 JHT April-June 2005 Outcomes - FDP End to End Repair APS 2012 2 Strand Repair 14 Digits 9 Excellent & 5 Good Results Strickland criteria ( 125 combined PIPJ & DIPJ)
Outcomes - FDP End to End Repair Zone I Flexor Digitorum Profundus Four Strand Repair Outcomes - FDP End to End Repair Zone I Flexor Digitorum Profundus Four Strand Repair 14 digits Early AROM program 6 excellent, 5 good, 2 fair, 1 poor (Strickland Criteria) Average TAM 130 With digital nerve repair Average TAM 150 Without digital nerve repair Outcomes-Buttons vs. Anchors JHS (A) 2006 Outcomes-Buttons vs. Anchors Buttons & Micro Anchors Therapy Program Combined Modified Duran + Early AROM Program (Indiana Program) 26 Patients: 13 Buttons 13 Anchors Button Anchor AROM PIPJ 5 /99 3 /104 AROM DIPJ 10 /57 8 /57 JHS (A) 2006 Outcomes - Micro Bone Anchor JHS (E) 2013 Outcomes - Micro Bone Anchor 42 Zone I FDP Repairs Average PIPJ ROM 5 /96 Average DIPJ ROM 8 /48 One Rupture Mean QuickDASH Score 13.5 81% Satisfied with Outcome JHS (E) 2013
Zone I FDP Repairs Customize the Rehab Program Based on the individual Every Visit Assess Therapy Program Adjust based on progress or lack thereof Realize Zone I Repairs DIPJ Level Difficult to achieve excellent flexion 40 Flexion Contractures Common DIP joint or PIP joint level 5-10 Zone II Flexor Tendon Repairs Challenges - Therapy Limited tendon gliding PIP joint and DIP joint level PIP joint flexion contracture particularly in the presence of laceration into the volar plate Case Example 17 y/o Male, High School Student Laceration Left Long FDS/FDP Zone II Surgery: 7 days post injury FDS repaired 8 strand FDP repair 4-0 looped double Kessler stitch 6-0 prolene epitendinous stitch Therapy: 2 Days Postop Surgery 8-strand repair Points of Interest Middle finger (favorable tendon excursion) Therapy Negligible edema (two days postop) Supple PROM (two days postop) Excellent early active flexion Negligible scarring Fair hair, fair skinned 8 Strand FDP Repair Zone II Dorsal Blocking Orthosis 3 days postop
8 Strand FDP Repair Zone II Modified Duran PROM Program 8 Strand FDP Repair Zone II Tenodesis Orthosis & Exercise Program 5 days postop 8 Strand FDP Repair Zone II Week 5 Tenodesis orthosis discontinued Continue place & hold exercise 8 Strand FDP Repair Zone II Week 6 Transitioned from place & hold to AROM Continued dorsal blocking orthosis between ex/night 8 Strand FDP Repair Zone II Week 7 Discontinued DBO except at school until 10 weeks postop Buddy tapes Active extension exercises (no passive) 8 Strand FDP Repair Zone II ROM Measurements: 2 Days po: MP x/70 PIP x/80 DIP x/35 Week 1: MP x/90 PIP x/100 DIP x/55 Week 2: MP x/90 PIP x/95 DIP x/60 Week 3: MP x/85 PIP x/100 DIP x/45 Week 4: MP x/85 PIP x/100 DIP x/60 Week 6: MP 0/90 PIP 0/105 DIP 0/50 Week 8: MP 0/90 PIP 0/105 DIP 0/65 Week 9: MP 0/90 PIP 0/105 DIP 0/70
8 Strand FDP Repair Zone II Final Visit Week 9 Precautions: avoid tight grasp, sports, lifting objects 10 lbs for four months Case Example [A.F.] 13 y/o Girl; Fell & Cut Finger on Glass Left Middle Finger FDP Laceration thru A3 Pulley [zone II] Surgery [9 days post injury] Six strand repair 3-0 suture Peripheral epitendinous repair Therapy [5 days post surgery] Indiana early motion program Therapy 5 Days Postop 7 Days Postop Dorsal Blocking PROM Tenodesis Place & Hold Weeks 1 3 Limited Participation in Therapy Initially ROM: 1 st 2 nd 3 rd week MP x/75 x/75 x/80 PIP x/95 x/95 x/95 DIP x/35 x/30 x/30 Modify Therapy Program Opportunity to improve active flexion Out of Orthoses Set Goals Active Flexion Markings in the palm Treatment Program Modifications Advanced Therapy Program 1Week Out of orthoses active motion at 3 weeks Added blocking orthoses at 5 weeks Discontinued protective DBO at 5 weeks Began resistance at 6 weeks Foam piece (cylinder shape) Putty Hand exerciser
Blocking Orthoses - Exercise Buddy Tapes 4 weeks postop Blocking Orthosis 6 Weeks Oval 8 Wore all day Hand Based MPJ Block 5 weeks postop 7 Weeks Postop Increase Tendon Gliding Putty & hand exerciser Outcome 11 Weeks Postop ROM - Left Middle Finger MP 0/90 PIP 0/110 DIP 0/55 [65] [blocked motion] Discharge Visit 3 Months ROM Left Middle Finger Outcomes Short Arc Zhou X., et.al JHS European 2017 54 Digits 6-Strand M-Tang Repair + Peripheral Suture Therapy Passive flexion + short arc active flexion 80% Excellent or Good Category No Ruptures
Outcomes Place & Hold Trumble et.al. JBJS American 2010 4-Strand Repair + Peripheral Suture Indiana Program [Modified Duran/Place & Hold] 54 Digits Averaged 156 Excellent Category Rupture Rate: 3.8% [two small fingers] Outcomes P&H + Short Arc Savvidou & Tsai J Hand & Microsurgery Jan-June 2015 51 Digits 6-Strand Double Loop + Peripheral Suture Passive - Place & Hold - Short Arc Active 81% Excellent or Good Category Rupture Rate 1.9% Therapy for Flexor Tendons Customize Home Program Carefully Monitor Active Flexion Adjust therapy program no gains Protective Orthosis (wrist) initial 6 wks Exercise Orthosis (with or without wrist) Passive Extension Isolate Indiv. Joints Pause Small Fingers No blocking More caution with advancing program